In Southern California, generations of immigrants are creating an evolving definition of "American." Multi-American is your source for news, conversation and insight on this emerging regional and national identity.

A same-sex couple hold hands during a sit-in protest on February 14, 2011 in San Francisco, California. As lawmakers debate comprehensive immigration reform, LGBT groups are hoping for a provision that will give same-sex binational couples the same right that straight married couples have to sponsor an immigrant partner.
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Senate Gang of 8 close on immigration deal - Associated Press The bipartisan group has been "meeting for hours at a time daily this week trying to complete a deal. There were still big disagreements on some issues, but they hoped to resolve most of them before Congress began a two-week recess at week's end." This would allow them to present a bill by next month.

Senators hit late snag in immigration talks - Politico The U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the AFL-CIO are reportedly close to reaching a deal on a new visa program to bring in as many as 200,000 low-skilled workers a year, but both sides are in disagreement over what the wages should be.